Master Formula for the Three-Gluon Contribution to Single Spin Asymmetry in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

We derive a "master formula" for the contribution of the three-gluon correlation function in the nucleon to the twist-3 single-spin-dependent cross section for semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering, ep^\uparrow\to eDX. This is an extension of the similar formula known for the so-called soft-gluon-pole contribution induced by the quark-gluon correlation function in a variety of processes. Our master formula reduces the relevant interfering partonic subprocess with the participation of the three gluons to the Born cross sections for the \gamma^*g\to c\bar{c} scattering, which reveals the new structure behind the twist-3 single spin asymmetry and simplifies the actual calculation greatly. A possible extension to higher order corrections is also discussed.Comment: 23 pages, 4 figures. Final version to appear in Phys. Rev. D. Presentation changed slightl

Three-gluon contribution to the single spin asymmetry in Drell-Yan and direct-photon processes

We derive the single-spin-dependent cross section for the Drell-Yan lepton-pair production and the direct-photon production in the $pp$-collision induced by the twist-3 three-gluon correlation functions in the transversely polarized nucleon in the leading order with respect to the QCD coupling constant. Combined with the contribution from the twist-3 quark-gluon correlation functions in the literature, this completes the twist-3 cross section for these processes. We also present a model calculation of the asymmetry for the direct photon production at the RHIC energy, demonstrating the sensitivity of the asymmetry to the form of the three-gluon correlation functions. In particular, we show that the asymmetry in the backward direction of the polarized nucleon is determined by the small-$x$ behavior of the correlation functions.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Contribution of Twist-3 Multi-Gluon Correlation Functions to Single Spin Asymmetry in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

As a possible source of the single transverse spin asymmetry, we study the contribution from purely gluonic correlation represented by the twist-3 ``three-gluon correlation" functions in the transversely polarized nucleon. We first define a complete set of the relevant three-gluon correlation functions, and then derive its contribution to the twist-3 single-spin-dependent cross section for the $D$-meson production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, which is relevant to determine the three-gluon correlations. Our cross-section formula differs from the corresponding result in the literature, and the origin of the discrepancy is clarified.Comment: 29 pages, 3 figures minor corrections; version to appear in Phys. Rev.

On the contribution of twist-3 multi-gluon correlation functions to single transverse-spin asymmetry in SIDIS

We study the single spin asymmetry (SSA) induced by purely gluonic correlation inside a nucleon, in particular, by the three-gluon correlation functions in the transversely polarized nucleon, $p^\uparrow$. This contribution is embodied as a twist-3 mechanism in the collinear factorization framework and controls the SSA to be observed in the $D$-meson production with large transverse-momentum in semi-inclusive DIS (SIDIS), $ep^\uparrow \rightarrow eDX$. We define the relevant three-gluon correlation functions in the nucleon, and determine their complete set at the twsit-3 level taking into account symmetry constraints in QCD. We derive the single-spin-dependent cross section for the $D$-meson production in SIDIS, taking into account all the relevant contributions at the twist-3 level. The result is obtained in a manifestly gauge-invariant form as the factorization formula in terms of the three-gluon correlation functions and reveals the five independent structures with respect to the dependence on the azimuthal angle for the produced $D$ meson. We also demonstrate the remarkable relation between the twist-3 single-spin-dependent cross section and twist-2 cross sections for the $D$-meson production, as a manifestation of universal structure behind the SSA in a variety of hard processes.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures. To appear in the proceedings of the 19th International Spin Physics Symposium (SPIN2010), Juelich, Germany, Sept.27 - Oct.2, 201

Time-Evolution of a Collective Meson Field by the Use of a Squeezed State

A time-evolution of quantum meson fields is investigated in a linear sigma model by means of the time-dependent variational approach with a squeezed state. The chiral condensate, which is a mean field of the quantum meson fields, and quantum fluctuations around it are treated self-consistently in this approach. The attention is payed to the description of the relaxation process of the chiral condensate, where the energy stored in the mean field configuration flows to the fluctuation modes. It is shown that the quantum fluctuations play an important role to describe this relaxation process.Comment: 18 pages, 22 postscript figures, uses PTPTeX.st

Quantum Brachistochrone for Mixed States

We present a general formalism based on the variational principle for finding the time-optimal quantum evolution of mixed states governed by a master equation, when the Hamiltonian and the Lindblad operators are subject to certain constraints. The problem reduces to solving first a fundamental equation (the {\it quantum brachistochrone}) for the Hamiltonian, which can be written down once the constraints are specified, and then solving the constraints and the master equation for the Lindblad and the density operators. As an application of our formalism, we study a simple one-qubit model where the optimal Lindblad operators control decoherence and can be simulated by a tunable coupling with an ancillary qubit. It is found that the evolution through mixed states can be more efficient than the unitary evolution between given pure states. We also discuss the mixed state evolution as a finite time unitary evolution of the system plus an environment followed by a single measurement. For the simplest choice of the constraints, the optimal duration time for the evolution is an exponentially decreasing function of the environment's degrees of freedom.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

A phenomenological study of single transverse-spin asymmetry for inclusive light-hadron productions at RHIC

We study the single transverse-spin asymmetry for inclusive light-hadron productions in the proton-proton collision, \pphx ($h=\pi,K,\eta$), for the RHIC kinematics based on the twist-3 mechanism in the collinear factorization. The analysis includes all the contributions from the soft-gluon pole and the soft-fermion pole for the twist-3 quark-gluon correlation functions in the transversely polarized proton. After discussing the flavor decomposition and the $P_T$-dependence of the asymmetry obtained in the previous analysis at the center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{S}=62.4$ and 200 GeV, we will give a prediction for the asymmetry at $\sqrt{S}=500$ GeV and also for the $\eta$-meson production. We found slightly smaller asymmetry at $\sqrt{S}=500$ GeV for $\pi^{\pm,0}$ and $K^+$ compared with those at the lower energies. The asymmetry for the $\eta$-meson turned out to be significantly larger than that for $\pi^0$.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, Final version published in Phys. Rev. D 83, 114024 (2011

Transverse single-spin asymmetries in proton-proton collisions at the AFTER@LHC experiment

We present results for transverse single-spin asymmetries in proton-proton collisions at kinematics relevant for AFTER, a proposed fixed-target experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. These include predictions for pion, jet, and direct photon production from analytical formulas already available in the literature. We also discuss specific measurements that will benefit from the higher luminosity of AFTER, which could help resolve an almost 40-year puzzle of what causes transverse single-spin asymmetries in proton-proton collisions.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures; more details/discussion added to the text, references added/updated, version to appear in Advances in High Energy Physics for the Special Issue "Physics at a Fixed-Target Experiment Using the LHC Beams

Probing the three-gluon correlation functions by the single spin asymmetry in p^\uparrow p\to DX

We study the single transverse-spin asymmetry for the inclusive open-charm production in the pp-collision, p^\uparrow p\to DX, induced by the three-gluon correlation functions in the polarized nucleon. We derive the corresponding twist-3 cross section formula in the leading order with respect to the QCD coupling constant. As in the case of the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, ep^\uparrow\to eDX, our result differs from the previous result in the literature. We also derive a "master formula" which expresses the twist-3 cross section in terms of the gg\to c\bar{c} hard scattering cross section. We present a model calculation of the asymmetry at the RHIC energy, demonstrating the sensitivity of the asymmetry on the form of the three-gluon correlation functions.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures. Final version to appear in PRD. Some changes in the section of numerical calculation include